Tag: wedding

Be a Man

James HoganLeave a comment

Hello friends!  A quick entry today as I sip my peppermint mocha.  It must be very quick, as soon work is to start and I must catch up on my myriads of emails that have piled up here in my one(!!) day off.  I had a very good reason for that day off though…as I was up in Omaha this past weekend for cousin Brittany’s wedding!!  It was an utterly delightful affair which I shall not even attempt to fully describe.  But the whole weekend truly was marvelous.  Good times with family dear.  Fun chats and catching up with so many of the relatives!  And the wedding of Brittany and Dallon…oh how I love weddings – and witnessing them making their marriage vows to each other was truly special.  Oh how I pray that our God blesses their marriage and brings them closer to each other as they seek to glorify God in all things.  And of course the party afterwards was fantastic…so much dancing.  So much!!  And so I was quite tired at the end of the night and so when we all(me, Maryanne, Laura, Caisson, Mom, Dad) took a picture at our hotel at end of night…definitely can spot the weariness!  But hopefully also the joy was abundantly manifest.

And..I can’t write much more, but one more note – the conversations that were had with family members dear…oh so glorious and encouraging.  God is good in granting me these few precious days with them in Omaha.  I am ever grateful for my family.  Always.

Apples and Cinnamon

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So today will be an interesting day.  The weather conditions are advertised as being a “wintry mix”, which when hearing that – sounds delightfully pleasant right?  Wintry mix sounds to me like maybe a peppermint tea or exotic hot cocoa or something delicious that can be sipped while cosy at home during the depths of winter.  But no – this wintry mix is much more annoying – namely, very cold(probably sub-freezing) temperatures and various forms of precipitation.  Yay?  Driving here this morning, all the signs proclaimed: “ICE PREVENTION OPERATIONS AHEAD”.  At least Houston is trying, am I right!?  My one shoutout of the day goes to the woman I saw on her morning run as I drove to work.  5:45AM, 37 degrees and slight rain.  And she still went on her run.  I shake my head in admiration and shame – never am I that dedicated!!

But apart from the weather forecast, right now I’m enjoying my coffee here at work as I continue to wake up.  Thankfully I’m less sleepy than I was yesterday!  Totally slept through my alarm so had no time for breakfast or coffee…and why did I sleep in yesterday?  Well, the night before that was Julian and Kelsey’s wedding – and oh what a gorgeous wedding it was!!  I shan’t describe it all here…but their wedding was God glorifying – a simply beautiful ceremony of them affirming their marriage covenant to one another before God Himself.    And I must briefly mention the beauty of the venue itself – outdoors surrounded by the mid-winter Texas countryside.  As I stood by Julian’s side and gazed out at the setting sun, brisk air enlivening(and slightly shiver-inducing!) and fading light spirit invigorating…I had no thoughts but to thank God for blessing Julian and Kelsey so – for giving each of them to the other as partners in this beautiful, crazy, wonderful life.  All praises to the One from whom all blessings flow.  Amen.

What else can I write before it is work time?  Well I suppose I should start on my pledge for this year.  I typically enjoy reading very much(as you should know, if you know me at all), but I am very poor in recording what I’ve read.  So I’ve decided this year to keep track of each book I read.  Even re-reads(because yes, I do re-read quite a bit – and I don’t want to miss the chance to highlight good books, just because they’re not first reads).  This is a slightly perilous resolution, for several reasons.  Firstly, because I’m typically terrible at keeping on something like this, so I must be diligent at recording these, even if I have no time to write any fancy reviews.  Secondly, because…this means my reading tastes will be exposed for the whole world to see – will be a good impetus to (try to) read quality books!  For now though..here goes.  I will record the books as I finish them, so here’s my first two, which coincidentally or not I completed last night.

1. Authority by D.M. Lloyd-Jones.  This was a remarkably short book, less than 100 pages!  But I much enjoyed this adaptation of several of Lloyd-Jones sermons he gave on the subject of authority, namely – the authority of Christ, the authority of the Scripture and the authority of the Holy Spirit.  I much enjoyed this book(as I enjoy almost all of Lloyd-Jones’ writings!) and it encouraged my soul.  Oh how we should more often remember that our faith does not come from within us and is not founded on the shifting sands of our moods or the ever changing tides of the wisdom of this world…but our faith is in Christ Himself, as revealed through the external witness of the Holy Scriptures and the internal witness of the Holy Spirit.  Oh might we rejoice in this thought and take heart.  Too easily do I get discouraged by my circumstances and by the trials and tribulations I find myself in.  Let me more oft consider the God whose son I am.

2. Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson.  This is the complete antithesis of the previous book.  Definitely not a short book – I don’t know the exact page count, but easily over 800 pages I would think.  A classic high fantasy novel.  Sanderson is truly one of my favorite authors and I think I own a higher percentage of his books than almost any other author.  I’ve also met him a few times, which adds to my liking for him.  His writing style is definitely not quite as beautiful as a Tolkien or a Rothfuss, but his world-building and action sequences are almost unparalleled.  This book is the third book in his magnum opus Stormlight Archive series and so I shan’t attempt to summarize the plot here, but I much enjoyed this book and will be definitely revisiting it in later re-reads.  I’m just sad I’ll have to wait a couple more years for the next book to come out…alas!

So there you have it – the first two books completed for 2018.  Already begun another one, will record when finished!

Have a most lovely day, dear friends – may it be a day of joy and peace.

the Julii

James HoganLeave a comment

Happy Sunday friends!! A quick post here as I wait for my pizza…since today is Sunday and it is playoff football time(currently Saints v Panthers – go Carolina!), I decided it was time to get Pizza Hut, mmm…will walk down and pick it up shortly. Anyways, apart from my dinner plans, nothing much going on right now…it is truly nice to rest this night! I’ve had a busy little weekend…Julian’s bachelor party on Friday night(a poker night, where as is tradition I performed valiantly and flamed out quickly!)…then Saturday morning took my car to the shop to get brakes done. Following that, went over and helped Julian move into his new apartment(which will be his and Kelsey’s following their soon coming wedding!! I truly can’t wait for that wedding a week from today….so so excited to see one of my best friends get married. Me and Julian had a great time chatting yesterday and then this morning as I was making coffee for deacon duties…I truly love that guy). The moving took longer than I thought and then had to go do my final fitting for tux, so didn’t get home until late in the afternoon. Later that evening, I went to airport to pick up Julie – she’s now back from her home holidays in Pennsylvania. We had nice chat driving…then once got to her place, she made tea and we got more chat time yay! It was good to catch up after not seeing her for some…three weeks? We chatted about our respective holidays and other sundry things…beautiful conversating, as always. Today was a busy day at church, doing deacon duties from 8 to 1…then had some good times hanging out with Earnie, Mandy, Joe and others…I have good friends here, I must confess. And this afternoon, started my workout routine for first time post Christmas holidays. I put it off long enough…could delay no longer! And just now, had a nice chat with Maryanne…I will get to see her in Charlotte in a little over a month – can’t wait!!! Alright, now it’s time for this very dense paragraph to be over. Hope you don’t mind me just dumping all my weekend activities on you…just thought it was worthwhile to share this snapshot…as busy and tired as I often am, at the end of the day, I simply cannot help but thank God and praise His name for all He has given me. Amen? Amen. Now…time for a nice brisk walk down Heights Boulevard…pizza time is upon us!

White and Grey and Love Unbounded

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Happy Saturday friends!!! I have but a few minutes before I need to start getting ready for wedding, but…thought I could write a few words! I’m currently here in the Frozen North, which deserves its capital letters because it truly is Frozen up here in Calgary right now. -17 F(-27 C) and snow flakes slowly whirl past the window of my hotel room…

Of course you may ask – why am I in Canada right now? Well…Robbie is getting married!!! Such a dear friend, even though I haven’t been able to hang out with him as much as I wish I could. But we’ve had many adventures – from Isle of Man to Boston to Vancouver! And now…he’s beginning one of the biggest adventures of all…marriage to his soon-to-be wife, Natasha. So I shall soon witness this glorious wedding and it shall be wonderful indeed! And while I rejoice with Robbie and Natasha…I do look forward to the day that shall be more glorious than all others – that day when we shall sit down at the wedding supper of the Lamb. Oh for that beautiful day!! Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

And now…I suppose I should start getting dressed for wedding. Had a nice little breakfast here in hotel, and then because I was tired of staying indoors, braved the wintry blast of outside and walked down to Tim Hortons and got a nice yummy chocolate donut and blissfully hot coffee. Mmm so good. Now in my hotel room warming my toes and enjoying looking out at the white blanket upon this city of Calgary. Frozen outside and warm and cozy inside. This world so often seems cold and dark…remember the light and rejoice in the love of our God.

Peace and love.

Redux

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This post written yesterday, February 20th…thought I may as well post it today!

Good morning all!! I am writing this from work this morning(well, as I guess I usually do on Monday mornings?) But feels a bit weird now, as I’m writing this on a Word doc and not in livejournal itself. The whole network is down at work right now, so no internet, no emails…almost no work of any kind is possible right now! Hopefully the internet comes back soon, because (sadly or not!) I really do want to get some work done today. Also, it is pouring buckets outside and I very much appreciate the fact that I am inside where it is warm and dry just now! And since I can’t do anything online, I figured I may as well write a few words now and then post them on livejournal once the network comes back online. If it ever does.

Anyways, what shall I write about? Hm, I know! Earnie and Mandy’s wedding this past weekend! They got married this past Saturday at Bethel and it was glorious. I can’t express the joy that was in my heart at seeing them being knit together as one! Mr. and Mrs. Earnest Terrell, congratulations!! Oh what bliss and oh what love!! The ceremony was gorgeous and I shan’t describe it in detail. We drove out to Plantersville for the dinner and reception – where much delicious barbecue was consumed and much awesome dancing took place!! Good times with so many good friends. I do so love weddings and this one did not disappoint. And just to see God’s work in the life of Earnie and Mandy. I’ve known Earnie for a few years now, and I remember when he would talk about Mandy and be yearning after her…even though she had no thoughts for him! And now…to see how God has brought them together is truly amazing. And they are brought together not just by their love for each other, oh no! They are brought together and bound by their love for Christ. Amazing love.

Now, the network is still down, so I guess I can keep writing! Yesterday was a joyous time at church, worshiping God and offering praise to the One from whom all blessings flow. Afterwards, had a good meeting with Sammy and some of the other young leaders at church – talking about millennials – oh that fickle, silly and irksome generation! Eventually made my way to the store for some dinner materials, then homeward bound! While my spaghetti sauce simmered on the stove, finished my 1 Peter study for next week(vss. 1-2 – keeping it real, keeping it slow!) while I listened to my prime study muse – Lorde – don’t ask me why. Then did my workout and afterwards, got to talk to Maryanne for a while!! We hadn’t talked in ages – so it was very well worth it. About time. Sorry for the wait, sis!!

Finally, it was almost dinner time, so made meatballs while John and Camille hung about and watched me do so. I don’t know why meatball making is so fascinating…but there you go. Julia came over and we all watched Dr. Strange(fantastically fun movie, with so many good actors…Rachel McAdams, Tilda Swinton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong – all the Benedicts!! …now I want some eggs benedict…mm…) ANYWAY. It was a beautiful relaxing night, enjoying a delicious dinner and watching a fun movie with friends. Can’t get any better. Me and John had a good talk before I went to bed and I daresay I’ve been feeling very encouraged lately. I am at peace and I feel oh so blessed by God my Father. How should it be that I am blessed so? I know not. I simply lift my eyes to the heavens and pray with adoration in my heart to my Father. Abba Father – hear my cry.

Now, dear friends…I end this. Still network outage here, but going to tear my eyes away from the computer screen and talk to some of my friends here at work. Be warm and safe and dry this day, fellow Houstonians!

The Wheel Turns

James HoganLeave a comment

Hi friends!!! I have just realised that – shockingly – I have not posted here in over a month!! Terrible behaviour, simply terrible, I say. But I do have a good excuse. I have not(and still don’t!) had Internet in my flat, so posting is just a little more difficult than it used to be. Could I post from my phone? Well, I guess I could…but I type so slowly on my phone and then I just couldn’t be half as long-winded as is my wont. Couldn’t have that now could we? But now I’m ensconced at the Starbucks a few minutes away from my apartment, enjoying my chocolate and cinnamon tinged coffee…and I actually do have a bit of time to write!

So I could write all about my new apartment and what it’s like living alone again…or I could talk about my super hectic and crazy work life…or I could even talk about all the books I’m reading(Wheel of Time re-read – currently on The Dragon Reborn! Just started another John Owen book last night…Communion with God!!) or the TV shows I’m watching(Just finished watching Season 1 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer last night…on to S2!!)…or I could talk about something even more awesome. Like…you know, Laura and Caisson getting married last weekend. Yeah. I think that wins.

So I don’t think it’s even possible to do last week justice. But I shall try to paint a picture, and even though it may be slightly dim and ill-formed…it’ll at least give you an idea of the glorious week that was had as Laura and Caisson came together as husband and wife!! I flew to Tampa last Wednesday and then drove to Gainesville for the beginning of wedding week festivities! Bachelor party that night with Caisson and the gang(didn’t know any of the other guys going into the week…but no worries, as expected – they were all awesome and most quality guys!). Thursday – woke up feeling a little tired(yes, I am apparently not in college anymore and not used to going to bed after 2AM…) but enjoyed a sweet brunch with all the guys and all of Laura’s bridal party(Maryanne was one of the maids of honor, as is proper…and I knew some of the other girls too – all very top-notch ladies!!). Thursday afternoon involved disc golf played with none other than Rob G! And Laurie and Jonah. And Maryanne. And some of the rest of the wedding party. And after that…dinner at Outback with Aunt Bev and Aunt Linda and Mom and Dad and Maryanne and Laura and Caisson!! I feel like I’m just speeding through the events here, but trust me…if I don’t, there is no way I’ll get through everything!!! But seriously, sitting at Outback with the family, talking about life and being all together. Truly special. And speaking of special…after that dinner, got to go over and see Rob and Laurie and Dan and Betsy!!! It’s been…wow, I don’t even want to know how long since I’ve gotten to hang out with all of them. But we got some quality time over coffee and brownies and…again, truly….being with some of my best friends in the world, talking about all manner of things…really, just being together. Knowing them and being known by them. God has given me some amazing friends, y’all – and that night with them. Marvelous. And so of course, another late night(think I made it to bed by midnight though!). Then Friday. Got to hang out with Dad a bit and get food for our lunch at Maryanne’s place…sweet lunch there with the whole extended fam!! Then afterwards, me and Maryanne got to go for a walk on her route(hurrah – now I finally know where she’s at when we’re talking on phone!)…afterwards…rehearsal and rehearsal dinner!! Again, I will make this brief – but it was a joyous time. Getting to hear the toasts and honor heaped upon Laura and Caisson by all of their dear friends and family. Wow. Oh so encouraging. Oh so wonderful!! Steve and Vickie arrived that night as well(and Steve’s parents!!). And Uncle Jeff and Brittany!! And so all of us together…beautiful. And that night ended with much dancing and revelry and it was awesome and I got another late night…because I got home and did I go to bed straight away? Of course not. Me and Rob had ice cream and talked and talked and soon enough it was midnight. Oops.

Saturday. Wedding day. This day was a blur and even now almost can’t believe it really happened. My baby sister’s wedding day. And so I got to see Laura at various points in the day(got to pass her a journal from Caisson while everyone was getting ready!) and I eventually put on my tux, etc. And the day sped on, and all of us proceeded up the aisle and then up walked Laura on Dad’s arm…and…yes. As is good and right and proper, Laura and Caisson were pronounced man and wife in a ceremony whose beauty shone oh so bright…and I’m not even going to attempt to properly describe it, but it was beautiful. Oh so beautiful. God our Father has bountifully blessed their union and I pray that He continue to bless their life as they adventure together in this crazy world. Oh thank you, God – for all the good that You have done!!! And afterwards? Why even bother? But it was more joy and laughter and fun….much dancing(I got to dance with Mom, hurrah!!) and talking and love and smiles and purest happiness!! And eventually Laura and Caisson left and we were all still rejoicing. Oh so much rejoicing! The family went back to Tampa, but me and Maryanne(being somewhat younger, maybe me not quite as young as Maryanne….) stayed in Gville to enjoy being with the rest of the bridal party(again, an awesome group! Love y’all – Maryanne, Ara, Emily, Jami, Taylor, Joel, Dan, Adrian, et. al….) a little longer. We went over to the apartment complex and played volleyball(Oh yes I love vball!! We also had the sweetest team ever, hi-fiving and yelling after every point, whether we’d won it or lost it…we were pretty hilarious, f’real). Then we ate pizza and sat by the pool and enjoyed the fading summer sun as we reflected over a beautiful day… But of course, it wasn’t over because me and Maryanne still had to go back to Tampa! So we made our farewells, hugging everyone goodbye…then we left Gainesville. Fueled on sweet mocha, I drove the two hours back to Tampa and we made it to bed sometime a little after midnight.

And the next day…we may or may not have been pretty tired. Still went to Hope Bible for church and it was glorious! Worshiping God together with everyone and glorying in the goodness of our Lord and God and Savior! And then, after church…we were spent. Enjoyed some Best New York pizza for lunch with Dad and Mom and Maryanne…and we all rested. Soon enough, I had to leave for airport, but we won’t dwell on that part. For me right now, as I sit in Starbucks in Houston…I reflect back on the events of a week ago and I smile. Smile for joy, smile for love. Oh Lord, my God – you have blessed me and my family so. And I can ne’er cease thanking You. You, my Lord – are all my hope and all my joy. My true and greatest love. Now and forever. My heart sings to You, my Father – my Lord and My God!

Amen and Amen.

400 Lux

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Evening my friends!! Just about finished watching a classic episode of Numb3rs – wow it’s been a while since I’ve seen it. Still awesome. Once this episode is finished, going to eat my salad(lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, olives and radishes…that composes a proper dinner, right? Right??). Anyways, I’m really posting in anticipation of my grand Virginia/Washington trip that begins tomorrow!! Laura Garrow is getting married(it was only what…five years ago I met her sophomore year?) And now she’s about to be married…and it’s going to be so grand!! Meeting up with Katheryn and she’s going to drive us to Charlottesville for the wedding. After awesome times celebrating the wedding(we get to see Dream and David and Gloria and Peter too!!), going to be headed back to DC area where I’ll be spending another few days with Aunt Linda and Aunt Bev and assorted families! I’m not going to into too much detail now, mostly because I’m really hungry and want my salad. Just know that this upcoming five days full of seeing wonderful people…is going to be simply amazing. Have a beautiful Thursday night, my friends – peace!!

Beans

James HoganLeave a comment

I keep meaning to write a proper entry here. One in which I go through my life as of late, what I’m thinking – what I’m learning. But I keep failing miserably at that, partly because I never manage to turn on my computer when I have enough time to actually sit down and write! Well, someday. I’m actually sitting in Beans Cafe just now, but it’s almost 11:30 and I think it’s time I move on! I came here a few hours ago and had a nice omelette to go with my iced coffee(yes, when walking from my apartment to here, I decided there was absolutely no way I was going to get a hot drink. Not going to happen). I should have a little time this afternoon to run errands and clean my place a bit, but tonight – wedding time! (Don’t worry, not mine). Bethany is getting married tonight, what!!! I’m so fortunate that I’m actually back in Houston for it! So me and Megan are going to drive over there at 4:30, and a night of joy and love and awesomeness will be had. So let it be written. So let it be done.

And why have I not had more quiet times to write lately? Well, I’m still trying to settle in here. Still trying to find a “permanent” apartment. Still trying to meet people(went to my first “community group” this past Tuesday night! One linked with Bethel Church). And last night, went to my first-ever book signing!! Got to meet Brandon Sanderson, whoa! He’s the author of some of my favorite books. Besides finishing the Wheel of Time series, he’s also written heaps of other books, including one of my all-time favorites – Mistborn. Anyways, it was weird being there where I realised how much more everyone there knew about his books than I did. I’m used to being pretty knowledgeable about books…yeah, I was outclassed there. Still, great fun meeting him(despite me feeling oddly nervous!!) – I even confessed to being a failure as a writer, since I agonise too much over my writing and don’t just sit down and *write*. He was very chatty and when I went back later in the night to get a few more books signed, he remembered my name! Very cool guy.

Now, I think I’m going to close my computer, get a cup of Earl Grey, and enjoy some quiet reading time. I love you all, my friends.